The past few days, Rein had been acting strange. It was easy to tell. She was quieter than normal, and Ai noticed she could barely write notes for songs from how much her hands shook. She had been abnormally pale and clammy, as if she were sick, and most of all, all she seemed to do was sleep lately.

Ai suspected she may have come down with something, but when he asked, she'd deny she was sick altogether and say that she was fine. She'd give a weak smile, and avoid Ai's contact, which was what worried him the most.

Rein never said anything about not feeling well, but the signs were like they were put up in neon lights.

The more Ai thought about him, the more he came to realize. Rein lived her whole life with no parents. If she fell ill, there was no one who cared enough to tell. She couldn't afford going to a hospital, or medicine for that fact. She had to tough it out all on her own.

Rein was doing just as she did then. Toughing it out without saying a word, as if it had become part of her very instinct.

As Ai walked back to their home, he found his pace suddenly quickening from sick worry over Rein knotting in his stomach.

"Rein?" Ai called as he walked in through the front door of their house. He received no response.

"Rein!" He called louder and walked further inside. First, he checked the living room, which she wasn't there, then the bedroom, bathroom, anywhere he could think. She wasn't anywhere.

Just before he decided to panic and call Reiji to see if he knew of her whereabouts, Ai looked in the kitchen.

The moment his eyes found Rein on the floor, they widened in shock.

"Rein!" He called again, lifting her frail body into his arms. Shaking her, he once again called her name. She barely stirred at the sound of her name.

Quickly, he felt her forehead and immediately grimaced and retracted his hand. She was burning up.

Pulling her closer, Ai took out his cellphone and dialed for an ambulance.

Slowly, Rein felt herself regain consciousness. Her insides felt like they were on fire, but her skin felt cold and she shivered. Gradually, she began to hear voices and the heavy scent of medicine in the air.

With every ounce of strength she had in her, she opened her heavy eyelids, only for her to be blinded by an intense light, and on instinct, she shut her eyes again and winced.

"Rein?"

Rein knew that voice anywhere. Forcing her eyelids to open again, she ignored the blinding light and forced her eyes to focus on the figure beside her.

"Ai...?" She hadn't noticed how hoarse her voice was until she spoke as her narrowed eyes finally fixed on Ai sitting beside her.

"Rein," he breathed with relief, taking the girls hot, nearly limp hands in his.

"Are you okay?" He asked, not sure what else to say as he brushed her bands, wet with sweat, away from her forehead.

Rein smiled weakly. "Yeah..." She nearly closed her eyes when they suddenly felt heavy again. Not wanting to move or turn her head, Rein simply murmured out the question she wanted to know.

"Where am I...?"

Ai's eyes softened from worry. "Hospital," he answered quietly. "I found you on the floor... You weren't moving... I..."

With as much strength as she could muster, Rein shook her head.

"No. Thank you." She frowned. "I'm sorry, Ai. I didn't mean to scare you. I don't even remember passing out..." She said weakly.

Now Ai shook his head, stroking the girls cheek.

"No," he said, then was quiet for a moment.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" He suddenly asked, even he already somewhat knew what the reason was. The question caught Rein off guard when he suddenly stopped stroking her cheek.

Rein bit her lip and looked away very slightly, her head feeling heavy.

"Sorry..." She muttered, avoiding eye contact. "I guess I... I guess my mind is still in survival mode. I never could rely on anyone before, and now that I suddenly have someone to rely on, I... I..." Ai cut her off with a kiss and he pulled her weak body into a hug.

"Rely on me," he said into her hair, holding her tighter. "Let me take care of you. You don't have to live like that anymore." Ai couldn't remember how many times he'd said those words to her.

But even if it took forever for it to get through to her, Ai would always say it.

Because he wanted to protect her. He wanted her to rely on him, to go to him when she wasn't feeling well, to go to him when she was sad, happy, excited, worried...

But more than anything, he wanted to take away her lingering pains from the past, no matter how long it took.

Because he loved her.

Silver: Alright! xD Just like I said, here is another one-shot since the other one was really short.

So I have just received a request for me to make a lemon with Rein and Ai. ._.

Should I really do it?

To answer that question, go vote yes or no on the poll on my profile!